Zach Kirkhorn is a financial executive who has made a significant impact on the automotive manufacturing industry. He is currently the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Tesla, Inc., where he played a key role in the company’s success.
Kirkhorn was born in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., and he studied Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the same time. He then earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Kirkhorn began his career as a financial analyst intern at Microsoft in 2005. He returned to Microsoft the following year as a program manager intern. After graduating from Harvard Business School in 2013, Kirkhorn joined the consulting powerhouse McKinsey as a senior business analyst.
In 2010, Kirkhorn joined Tesla as a senior analyst in finance. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming director of finance in 2014 and vice president of finance in 2018. In 2019, he was named CFO of Tesla, succeeding Deepak Ahuja.
As CFO of Tesla, Kirkhorn helped the company achieve financial stability and profitability. He also played a key role in Tesla’s expansion into new markets, such as China. In 2021, Kirkhorn was given the title “Master of Coin” by CEO Elon Musk, a reference to his role as the financial steward of Tesla.
Kirkhorn stepped down as CFO of Tesla in August 2023. He is now a senior advisor to the company.
Kirkhorn is a highly accomplished financial executive who has made significant contributions to the automotive manufacturing industry. He is a visionary leader who helped Tesla achieve its goals of becoming a profitable and sustainable company. His legacy will continue to inspire financial leaders and enthusiasts for years to come.